Having Paige there meant we were able to clear out twice as fast behind the bar than if I was doing it by myself. So, by one-thirty Jake and I were heading out the front door and waving goodbye to Guenther and a small huddle of the bouncers that I presume were talking about the customer from earlier in the evening. Word had apparently gotten around eventually because by the time Jake joined me downstairs after closing he'd already heard all about it and wanted to check out my wrist for himself. As he looked at the forming bruise he frowned but didn't say anything. I could tell it made him angry but he knew that anger wasn't pointed at me so it would do no good getting into any kind of fight about it. Instead he just sat at a nearby table while Paige and I cleaned up.
I appreciated that ab
